May 12, 2009

Entitled?

Genetic
manipulation is an expensive research endeavor because it is fraught with
unpredictability. That makes it patentable. One ultimate goal of genetic
research is treating diseases. Especially when an invention offers the prospect
of a cure, the affected diseased, most desirous of the fruits, want the
benefits without paying for the toils of the innovation behind it. Case in
point: a lawsuit, spearheaded by a woman with breast cancer, supported by the
ACLU,
against genetic research pioneer Myriad
Genetics, which has patents on genes related to breast and ovarian cancers,
and against the USPTO, for allowing such patents in the first place.

Ms. Genae Girard, 39, riled four other cancer patients and the ACLU to try to
rob patent protection from genetic research companies. The virulent anti-patent
Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT)
is also in on the act.

Christopher A. Hansen, ACLU, on gene patenting: "What they have really
patented is knowledge." That pretty much defines all patents.

ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero hauls out the righteous sanctimony:
"Knowledge about our own bodies and the ability to make decisions about our
health care are some of our most personal and fundamental rights. The government
should not be granting private entities control over something as personal and
basic to who we are as our genes."

People die all the time from all kinds of foolery. Most people exacerbate
genetic predispositions with poor lifestyle choices that lead to manifesting
diseases, which often results in premature death (compared to healthy
lifestyles). Smoking, drinking alcohol, consuming meat and dairy, along with
lack of exercise, provide a surefire formula for accelerated decrepitude. These
self-indulgent types are often the same people with an entitlement mentality.
Not to mention unexamined lives.